Hybrid Drive Force Control System for Energy Loss Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hybrid vehicle drive force control systems increase total energy consumption due to energy losses in motors when operating at fuel-efficient engine points, despite efforts to reduce energy consumption by stopping current supply to motors.
Innovation Solution
A drive force control system that calculates and optimizes engine output power and required electric power, interrupting power exchange between control motors and electric storage devices when electric power is low, and selectively shuts down motors to minimize energy losses, using a controller to manage engine and motor operations based on speed ratios and vehicle speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the engine is operated at the most fuel efficient point by controlling the torque of the first motor, then fuel efficiency is improved, but energy loss of the first motor (iron loss and copper loss) is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by selectively controlling current supply to motors based on their actual operational needs. The controller stops current supply to motors that are not required to generate torque, while maintaining current supply to motors that need to operate at optimal efficiency points. This partial application of current supply resolves the contradiction by avoiding unnecessary energy losses in idle motors while preserving fuel efficiency benefits where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller dynamically changes the electrical parameter (current supply) to motors based on real-time operational conditions. By adjusting current supply levels according to whether motors are actively generating torque or idle, the system optimizes the balance between fuel efficiency and motor energy losses, preventing the scenario where motors operate at high efficiency points unnecessarily and incur excessive iron and copper losses.
2Use of energy by moving object
If current supply to the first motor is stopped to reduce energy consumption, then energy consumption is reduced, but unintentional power generation occurs due to increased rotational speed
Solution Approach 1:
The controller continuously monitors the rotational speed of motors and the current operational state to make real-time decisions about current supply. This feedback mechanism allows the system to stop current supply when motors are idle (reducing energy consumption) while preventing unintentional power generation by detecting when rotational speed increases that would cause counter electromotive force. The feedback loop ensures current supply is adjusted based on actual operational needs rather than fixed conditions.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the rotational speed of the first motor is reduced by upshifting the transmission to avoid unintentional power generation, then unintentional power generation is prevented, but the energy consumption reduction benefit is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the problematic element (current supply to idle motors) from the system when it is not needed, rather than modifying the motor's rotational speed through transmission changes. By directly controlling the electrical input to motors based on their operational state, the system eliminates unintentional power generation at its source without the energy penalties associated with transmission upshifting. This direct extraction approach is more efficient than indirect mechanical solutions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system improves total energy efficiency in hybrid vehicles by reducing energy losses and optimizing thermal efficiency, while preventing unintentional power generation and regenerative torque, thus lowering overall energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a control motor having a generating function that is connected to any one of a pair of wheels to which a torque is delivered from the transmission and another pair of wheels
Implementation Method 2
an electric storage device that is connected to the control motor
Data Source
AI summary
A drive force control system configured to reduce a total energy consumption of a hybrid vehicle. The drive force control system calculates: an output power of the engine which can optimize a thermal efficiency given that the engine is operated at a best fuel point; and a required electric power to be supplied from a battery or to be generated by a control motor, which can adjust the drive power established by the output power of the engine to the required power. A power exchange between the control motor and the battery is interrupted if the required electric power to be supplied from the electric storage device or to be generated by the control motor is less than a first predetermined electric power.